Derek Jeter to Retire after 2014 Season

The Core Four after the 2009 World Series

Derek Jeter has annouced that he will retire after the 2014 season marking the end of a dynasty. In 1995 Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and the Captain Derek Jeter were called up together. They would play together through 2011  observing each others accomplishments: Jeter's 3000th hit, Posada's clutch hits, Rivera's 600th save, Pettitte's 250th win, and of course 5 World Series Championships. Posada retired after the 2011 season, Pettitte retired once after the 2010 season and again after the 2013 season, Rivera retired after the 2013 season, and now the final member, and possibly the most loved member will retire after the 2014 season.

Twas the 90s

I and so many others watched Derek Jeter his entire career, we know nothing but Derek Jeter. Those who watched Yankee games before Jeter would say no one would ever be like Don Mattingly, but then came the skinny kid from Kalamazoo. There are many significant moments in his career, such as the flip play against Oakland, his 3000th hit being a home run off David Price, the Mr. November home run, and the dive into the stands, or as my Met fan friend likes to say "The I couldn't stop my momentum play." Derek Jeter has definitely never been short of exciting to watch.

He is a 5 time Gold Glove award winner, a 13 time All Star, 5 time Silver Slugger, 5 time World Series Champion, and a first ballot Hall of Famer. Derek Jeter will follow a parade of celebration for his illustrious career through the 2014 season. Although he will enjoy every moment of it, he will say that the goal is to win the World Series. Derek Jeter is a special kind of player, and irreplaceable
to the world of baseball.

Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter is one of baseball's most respected players. In recent years he hasn't been performing as well as he used to do. Some say he is finally reached an age where his body cannot do as well as he did when he was younger, but I say there is more than that.

In 2010 Derek Jeter's on base percentage was only .340. That is unacceptable compared to his career on base percentage of .383. In 2011 Jeter raised his batting average 27 points and his on base percentage 15 points. Like most hitters as they get older their batting average goes down but the on base percentage becomes more respectable.

Again we are talking about BABIP. In 2002 Jeter hit .297 just like in 2011. His BABIP was equal by coincidence at .336. The difference between 2002 and 2011 was .373 and .355 respective on base percentages. In 2008 Jeter's BABIP was lower ( .333) but his batting average was higher ( .300.) He was getting hits without getting lucky, he was hitting very well.

Jeter made adjustments halfway through the 2011. He went to Tampa on a rehab assignment, but while he was there he also worked on his swing. It was a noticeable difference. Jeter was on fire for the second half and back to the Jeter we all know and love.

For 2012 I predict that Jeter will have a batting average over .300 with a respectable on base percentage of around .365. The only difference being he will hit the ball to left more often. As the old saying goes a hit is a hit.

The New York Yankees

The Yankees finished 2011 with a record of 97-65, but were eliminated in the ALDS by The Tigers. They made some changes this off season to make sure that doesn't happen again.

The major changes The Yankees made were changes to the starting rotation. They traded Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda. This was probably one of the most even trades of the year. Montero had 69 plate appearances with 4 home runs and 12 RBI's. It was a small sample size for the Yankees, but pitching was more important. The Yankees also signed Hiroki Kuroda to a 1 year $10 million contract. A very efficient deal. With these two acquisitions the Yankees' pitching rotation will probably be the following:



CC Sabathia: 19-8, 147 ERA+, 237 IP, 230 K.
Hiroki Kuroda: 13-16, 121 ERA+, 202 IP, 161 K.
Michael Pineda: 9-10, 103 ERA+, 171 IP, 173 K.
Ivan Nova: 16-4, 119 ERA+, 165 IP, 98 K.
Freddy Garcia: 12-8, 122 ERA+, 146 IP, 96 K.

By the way all their names end with "A." Can you think of a good name to call them. Like the Phillies had H2O in 2010.

The bullpen for the Yankees is also a strong point. They have the great Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, and Rafael Soriano. Rivera had a 1.91 ERA, 44 saves and 8.8 K/9 rate. Robertson had a 1.08 ERA, and 13.5 K/9 rate, As for Soriano, he had a rough season, part of it being injured. He had a 4.12 ERA in 2011, but he has a 2.86 ERA over his career. The combination of these three pitchers gives the Yankees the best 7th, 8th and 9th inning relief pitcher combination in baseball.

The Yankees also have one of the best lineups if not the best. The only two teams that compare to the compare to The Yankees' lineup are The Boston Red Sox and The Texas Rangers. Robinson Cano, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, and Curtis Granderson all hit over 20 home runs. Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Curtis Granderson all had an on base percentage of .350 or greater. Curtis Granderson, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixiera all drove in more than 100 RBI's. That's a quick summation of the power provided by The Yankees. In 2012 Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter will be back for the entire season. Also I predict that Brett Gardner will have a break out season.

The Yankees are currently working out a deal to trade AJ Burnett to the Pirates for salary relief and probably a couple of minor league players. As for Phil Hughes he may be fighting with Freddie Garcia for the 5th spot in the rotation or Hughes can be the 6th inning man in the bullpen. Also The Yankees are on the verge of signing or trading for a DH. They would prefer a left handed DH to face right handed pitching, because he will platoon with Andruw Jones, who will face left handed pitching.

Second Batter Evaluation

After reading about the Lead Off Value, you may want to know how valuable a number two hitter is. A batter  batting second in the lineup has to be bale to get on base, get extra base hits, because they score the runner and have sacrifice hits and flies. The number 2 batter does not want to strikeout and ground into double plays. Getting on base will further fuel a first inning rally, as does driving in the lead off man with extra base hits and sacrificing yourself to advance the lead off hitter. You want your lineup to flow nicely and having a good second batter will be good after a good lead off hitter

OBP = On base percentage
SH = Sacrifice hits
SF = Sacrifice flies
2B = Doubles
3B = Triples
GDP = Grounded into double play
SO = Strikeouts
SBE = Second batter evaluation

SBE = OBP( SH + SF + 2B + 3B) X100
                       GDP + SO

Derek Jeter's SBE = 0.355(37)   X 100
                                      91                     = 14.4

A 14.4 SBE is above average, Derek Jeter is a pretty good number 2 hitter.

Dustin Pedroia's SBE = 0.387(49)   X100  
                                           97                
      = 19.5

A 19.5 SBE is great. Pedroia would make an excellent number 2 hitter

 For an additional fact: most lead off hitters are left handed. Having a number 2 hitter who is right handed or a switch hitter would negate the left on left and right on right match ups that the opposing managers love to use so much. With a right handed pitcher coming in to face the number 2 hitter, that right handed pitcher may stay in the game to face the left handed, slugging number 3 hitter.